Mission and vision
Agriculture’s central role in the economy, combined with its importance for food security and nutrition makes the sector a prominent focus of development initiatives. In order to be successful in all three aspects, agricultural interventions must be interlinked with climate change, nutrition, youth employment, gender, education, market development and implemented through a coordinated effort of multi-sectoral agents that together will be able to create a paradigm shift in the overall well-being of society.
Technological learning and innovation are essential for economic growth and development and are essential for long-term improvements in income and living standards. The process of knowledge and technology transfer must enable adaptation and application of the technology and be applied for the benefit of farmers and greater society. The process must include demonstrations, education and trainings while providing access to inputs and providing forward and backward market linkages.
Technology transfer must enable a systematic approach that empowers farmers, and promotes diffusion of the knowledge and technology.
CultivAid emphasizes the need to develop a knowledge based infrastructure. Technology must be accompanied by professional development and enable government agencies, local NGOs and stakeholders to facilitate the transfer of technology. CultivAid stress the importance of hands on practical experience with on going trainings and development of local experts and wide ranging capacity building.
In order to support and guide local agronomists, experts and farmers and to achieve improved agricultural practices, higher yields, greater income and better nutrition, CultivAid aims to implement improved agro-technical methods and Israeli technology while developing a knowledge base to ensure sustainable long term development. Furthermore, CultivAid stresses the importance of proper management to accompany all interventions for successful implementations.
CultivAid’s pillars of Development have been developed as an intergraded approach that is based on collaboration with public, private and NGO stakeholders . Among our area of expertise are:
- Technical support and monitoring for the implementation of agricultural, water, nutrition and energy technologies with the ability of on-site logistical support and coordination.
- Construction and upgrading of Demonstration / R&D sites into modernized entities.
- Training program development and implementation for partner organizations, farmers, development agents, professionals and students.
- Agricultural and water project assessment, development, implementation and reporting.
- Identification of technologies to be implemented with small holder farmers, farmer’s unions, off-grid communities, governmental agencies, private organizations and NGOs
- Planning and budgeting of development project, proposals and interventions together with local stakeholders.
- Coordination and communication with Israeli (or other) companies in the field of agriculture, water and energy and Importing of required agricultural inputs and equipment.
- Communication and coordination with government and non-government agencies and at the federal level (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Water).
- Public relations, representation and coordination with government agencies, non-governmental organizations and companies.
Overview of Activities
CultivAid’s pillars of Development have been developed as an intergraded approach that is based on collaboration with public, private and NGO stakeholders . Among our area of expertise are:
The staff
CultivAid is managed by a collective of researchers, agronomists, and water experts who can undertake international development initiatives and provide capacity building of local professionals.
Management team
Tomer Malchi, Executive Director and co-founder.
Tomer holds a B.Sc., in Industrial and Labor relations from Cornell University. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc., Agr in Soil and water science from the faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is currently working towards his Ph.D in the field. Tomer has extensive experience in national and international development work in the field of agriculture, water and energy.
Tomer.Malchi@CultivAid.org
Ben Cohen, Chief Technical Officer and co-founder
Ben holds a B.Sc., Agr. in Soil and water science from the faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a M.Sc., in Desalination and Irrigation from the University of Ben Gurion in the Negev. Ben has extensive experience in agriculture and water management, working and managing agricultural projects for the past 10 years. Ben has been working as an international agronomist and water expert for the past 5 years, undertaking projects in Ethiopia, Uganda and Israel.
Ben.Cohen@CultivAid.org
Yair Keinan, Chief financial and logistical officer and co-founder
Yair holds a BSc. in biotechnology with a specialization in agriculture from Tel Hai College, and a M.Sc in business administration. As operational and financial manager Yair is responsible for planning and directing the organization’s daily activities. Yair has extensive expertise in vegetable production and crop management and has worked in various agricultural projects throughout Israel.
Yair.Keinan@CultivAid.org
Noam levi-avshalom, project manager
Noam has a B.sc. in marine biology from Rupin College and an M.sc. in biotechnology and agriculture from University of Ben Gurion in the Negev. Noam has extensive experience in aquaculture specializing in algae production. Since 2016 Noam has been involved in CultivAid’s projects in Ethiopia, taking the position of training cordinator and agronomist at CultivAid’s research and demonstration plot in Mekelle. Since August 2017 Noam has been operating as the project manager for Kallamio AITEC, providing logistical and technical support.
noam.levi.avshalom@cultivaid.org
Agmon Margalit, project manager
Agmon our in-house water technician and agronomist, specializes in water systems design and maintenance. Agmon worked for over three years at hazerim as a water technician in arid agriculture growing jojoba and has extensive experience is setting up irrigation systems. Agmon worked for approximately 1 year in Ethiopia, as CultivAid’s on site manager in Mekelle which included logistical and agronomical support for all sites. Today Agmon is overseeing implementation and operation of CultivAid’s technical support to Tikkun Olam Ventures (TOV) which aims to implement small farmer drip irrigation systems in Ethiopia.
Agmon.margalit@cultivaid.org
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- 3162 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- +1 415-865-0774
- theplantsshop@nomail.com
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